Lacquer Question

[Jay Wirth]

I have used for years Wapsi Head Cement and am down to my last qt. These bottles are no longer available and Im looking for an alternative.

What is everyone's favorite head cement for bucktail jigs? I would prefer to purchase in bulk and am looking at lacquer used for finishing instruments. Any thoughts?

 

[hookup]

Lacquer may change the color of your paint. Try a few test cases before going into production.

I frequently use clear nail polish to 'paint' chartreuse for an orange that works good with my perch pattern jigs.

 

[Jay Wirth]

This is for thread coating. Im pretty sure that the wapsi head cement is a clear lacquer similar to wood finish. I really like the wapsi cement and have been using it since the 70s but want to find something I can buy by the gallon.

On a side note, I paint my jigs with epoxy and have no problems with lacquers effecting the finish

 

[Fatman]

I'd contact Wapsi??

Lot of guys from the Catskill Flytyers use plain spar varnish and you can get it by the gallon.

Here's a good article on head cements - from old to new!!!
http://www.drlogik.com/headcement.html

 

[Kdog]

Gotta watch furniture grade lacquer as some brands are not as water resistant as automotive lacquer. I like lacquer but epa has pretty much got it off the market but these are still brands available. I do not use lacquer for tying as the solvent makes me sick. I stick with epoxy and have experimented with some UV cured coatings.

My favorite lacquer for coating rods etc is an archery product that is made for dipping. Requires little thinning and I've used it to seal bow string servings as well as repaired rod guide wrapping with good success.

http://www.bohning.com/fletch-lac-blue-clear-clear

 

[StumpHunter]

I'd contact Wapsi??

Lot of guys from the Catskill Flytyers use plain spar varnish and you can get it by the gallon.

Here's a good article on head cements - from old to new!!!
http://www.drlogik.com/headcement.html

Agree Doug, spar varnish has been used for many years on flies. Have some myself I use and never had any trouble with it.

 

[Bucko]

Doesn't spar varnish have a yellow tint when it dries though?

 

[StumpHunter]

Bucko you are thinking about the old style varnish that had a yellow tent. The new spar is clear, when I built cabinets and furniture I used spar on a lot of tables and other thing that a high gloss (water proof Marine grade ) finish was needed. You can also use water based Polyurethane, it works great also. I have used a lot of this on thread neck jigs because I had it and wanted to try it to see if it worked.

 

[Kdog]

When I responded before, I had completely forgotten about GST concrete sealer. It is a water based high gloss lacquer that a lot of folks are now using to seal aand finish crank baits. It is very thin and seals very well. I tried a small sample on jig heads to seal eyes and the eyes stayed on until I lost the jigs.

Just remembered because this AM. I found the pint jar still half full. It is available in Gallons at Menards and reasonable price.

 

[Pepop]

A friend of mine uses lacquer & MEK mixed 1 to 1 and swears by it. I'm still working through my last 2 bottles of head cement but I'll be trying this when I run out of the cement. Both can be purchased by the quart at Lowe's or Home Depot or most lumber yards.

 

[redman]

Jay three years I switched from Wapsi to the MEK and Lacquer mix. I made a half gallon for like $16. I have never looked back for the thread or head cement. For a few patterns I still use Sally Hansen's hard as nails. Wapsi head cement was super but think that it was getting too much of a problem with the EPA. My advice get as much of the stuff that works while you can or the EPA will have all of us tying rocks to our jig hooks and tree sap to use as head cement.

Redman

 

[goodtimesfishing]

So what do you guys think would be better, the GST concrete sealer or the lacquer mek mix??
I have not used either of the two. Currently I use "hard as hull" but go through it way to fast.

 

[redman]

Don't know but I can thin the lacquer MEK mix. Never used the GST concrete sealer. Just glad that we no longer have to use shellac.

Redman

 

[Jay Wirth]

I still have some wapsi head cement to last a little while. Thinned lacquer works well and may be the way I choose to go. I have also tried some Spar Varnish on flies tied throughout the summer. This was used by many of the Catskill Style founding tiers. I did try some spar on a few jigs. Seems OK but I haven't had time to fish with them. Drying time is a bit longer (compared to lacquer) but the viscosity is perfect with no thinning needed - it doesn't seem to dry up in the jar either...

 

[redman]

Jay the problem with the spar varnish is that as time goes on it will yellow. It last a good long while and will keep the thread where it needs to be unless one if them toothy critters hits it. But if it is working for you then keep using it. Down here the way I fish the head cement is the least of my problems as the cypress roots eats jigs as fast as the crappies. Lose more jigs than have to be retied because of the thread becoming unwrapped.

Redman